Hospital to create database of all knife and gun wounds

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Researchers at The Royal London aim to create the first comprehensive database of serious attacks in the capital.

They would record injuries sustained by victims, the weapon used and where the attack took place.

So far this year 27 teenagers have died in violent attacks in the capital.

One of The Royal London's leading trauma surgeons, Karim Brohi, said one in three of his patients was now a stabbing victim.

In a joint letter to the Evening Standard, Mr Brohi, surgical registrar Thomas Konig, and air ambulance lead clinician Dr Anne Weaver, write: "The number of stabbings in London is unfortunately beginning to match some inner city areas of the United States.

The dramatic rise in serious injury from people carrying knives is undoubtedly having an impact on the hospitals treating these injuries."

Doctors and researchers are waiting for ethical approval before they can start the research project. It could see all London hospitals and the ambulance service reporting details of stabbings to the Royal London in Whitechapel, which would become the central research hub. Personal details of victims would be kept confidential.

Researcher Nicholas Davies-Gilbert said: "Ultimately we want to link our records with the police to get an overall view of crime in London.

"We want to work out where it is happening and what weapons are being used. This problem is just draining the NHS and we don't want more people to die."

In a separate move, the General Medical Council is consulting on draft guidance to doctors that they should inform police whenever someone arrives in hospital with a knife wound.

Medical staff would not have to breach confidentiality by telling police the patient's name and address, and police would not have to be informed if the injury was accidental or selfinflicted.

Some doctors fear a situation where knife crime victims are deterred from seeking treatment.

Met commander Rod Jarman, the officer in charge of tackling youth gangs, told the Standard the level of serious crime committed by teenagers had remained unchanged over the past three years.